Crisis, Security and Resilience PG Cert 2022/23 entry
The content of this course for September 2022 entry is still being updated. The information on these pages relates to September 2021 entry and is for guidance only. Please revisit this course page for updated information.
Overview
Recent events have shown that every organisation can be affected by complex and dynamic risks. Standards in the sector are high, but they need to be higher. Employers are now demanding that organisational resilience practitioners are trained, qualified and accountable.
Studied on campus or 100% online, this short postgraduate certificate course is for professionals working in any organisation with a responsibility for assessing and managing risk, developing organisational resilience, managing crises, training others and designing and running crisis simulation exercises. The four modules have been externally reviewed by an external expert in the Civil Contingencies Secretariat (UK Cabinet Office) and meet the requirements of government and other organisations, helping to ensure that our graduates have the skills and knowledge to deal with complex crises upon successful completion of the course.
Coventry University understands the current challenges facing our emergency management community. The course curriculum and assessment is designed and constantly refreshed, making it suitable for those who are already working within emergency planning and management, as well as those looking to embark on a career within the field.
Modules from this programme can be taken forward to the MSc in Emergency Management and Resilience.
This course will provide you with the opportunity to further develop the core knowledge you need to drive forward excellence in assessing risks, planning for crises and continuity and developing a culture of resilience within your organisation.
The course is open to EU nationals living in the UK with settled or pre-settled status who would not require a visa to study.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedStudent experience
All the support you need, in a top student cityStudy on campus
If you choose to attend our campus study option, you may be taught through a blend of online learning, timetabled lectures, tutorials and seminars, which could take place face-to-face with other students.
Study 100% online
You can choose to study remotely. You will have timetabled classes, online tutorials and seminars, with all your learning activities available on-demand so that you can learn at the best time and location for you.
Register your interest
Course information
The four modules which comprise this postgraduate certificate are created to provide you with the opportunity to gain a master’s-level qualification in a directly relevant discipline.
Employers recognise that the challenges found in postgraduate study positively changes the way you analyse problems and create solutions. This course provides you with a space to network with others from a diverse range of experience and disciplines, to learn and apply concepts, theories and academic skills to professional practice.
This course can be studied on campus or 100% online. The course’s flexibility and delivery pattern of 4.5-day blocks enables full-time students to develop their knowledge alongside opportunities to gain practical experience. Alternatively, as a full-time student, you can study 100% online across a ten-week teaching period whilst also gaining practical experience in the workplace. The part-time route allows those already in emergency management to balance their studies with other work and life commitments and apply academic rigour to their practical experience. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please request information about studying this course part-time.
You will reflect on and develop a high level of knowledge of the relationship between risk assessment, anticipation, preparedness and resilience approaches within organisations, linking organisational learning, change and transformation at an operational and strategic level, leadership, personal resilience and working across teams. Our aim is for you to advance your skills in evaluating complex situations, developing creative and innovative solutions, and implementing post-incident learning. There will be opportunities to take part in training and exercises through simulated emergency scenarios in our state-of-the art, immersive Simulation Centre.
Coventry University was the first UK university to establish courses in disaster management and emergency planning over 20 years ago (Hulse & Moseley 1998) and is still a leading provider of Higher Education courses and Consultancy services in emergency and disaster management capabilities. We have more than 25 years of alumni who sit in senior positions in organisational resilience across the world.
As a Coventry University graduate, upon successful completion of the course you should have gained the skills you need to move your career in emergency preparedness and management forward, both in the UK and overseas. These skills and knowledge are transferable - dealing with risk, problem solving, decision making under uncertainty, team and leadership skills and place you in an enviable position to pursue a career in a wide range of public sector and industry occupations.
Course Specification
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Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to Covid-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
In more detail...
- Coventry University is one of the few higher education institutions that aims to provide a course which can be studied 100% online or in 4.5-day face-to-face module blocks on campus at postgraduate-level in order to provide the depth and rigour required for development, reflection and networking in this sector.
- A curriculum designed and mapped to industry standards.
- Coventry University is a leader in digital learning. This expertise is applied to our campus delivery, which is supported by our innovative online social learning platform, allowing you to undertake substantial parts of your study at home where you can revisit classroom delivery.
- Opportunities for recognition of prior learning and experience (RPL/RPEL) on a case-by-case basis (evidence required). Please see the course specification for further information.
- All assessments are designed to be of value to both you and your employer – no examinations.
- Our student-centred approach; Coventry University has been rated 5 Stars for Teaching Excellence and Employability (QS Stars 2020) and has been rated a top 15 UK university 5 years running (Guardian University Guide 2016-2020).
- Access to our library's electronic resources 24/7, including thousands of books, ejournals and newspapers.
- Dedicated support for those who are new to Higher Education, or returning after a long break, with additional modules designed to transition you into postgraduate study and support you as you learn to research.
- Be supported by expert staff, researchers and our wide-ranging alumni network who are active in the field, with extensive industrial and consultancy experience working for Category 1 and 2 responders, government agencies, businesses and NGOs.
- Choose or switch to study either full-time (one year) or part-time (two years). Please see the course specification for further information.
- Start in September, January or May.
- Option to progress from the Postgraduate Certificate to the full MSc, taking into account the credits already achieved. Please see the course specification for further information.
- Learn from guest speakers (subject to availability) who are experts in their field, providing insight into real-life scenarios.
- Access to our award winning Simulation Centre with its 10m curved-screen immersive virtual training environment with XVR Simulation platform. Eight break-out rooms connected with audio and CCTV to the control room for operational, tactical and strategic simulations.
- Enhance your career prospects and extend your industry network by studying with emergency planners, incident and crisis managers from the public, private and charitable sector, both in the UK and internationally.
- Further develop your skills and knowledge in assessing and managing dynamic risks and security threats, crisis coordination and leadership, evaluative approaches to impact analysis and continuity planning, learning theories and pedagogy for crisis and continuity training, exercise design, governance and organisational systems, organisational adaptation and transformation.
- Develop high-level analytical, decision-making and communication skills and make an immediate difference in the organisation where you work.
On this course you will be taught via:
- Seminars and discussion
- Practical sessions and workshops
- Simulation exercises
- Study visits*
Modules can be studied either 100% online or as 4.5-day face-to-face events that provide the depth and rigour required for development, reflection and networking in this sector. Delivery is supported by our innovative online social learning platform, allowing you to undertake substantial parts of your study at home whether you are studying on campus or online, where you can revisit classroom content and find additional materials. You also have access to our library's electronic resources 24/7, including thousands of books, ejournals and newspapers.
The course’s flexibility and delivery pattern of 4.5-day blocks enables full-time students to develop their knowledge alongside opportunities to gain practical experience. The part-time route allows those already in emergency management to balance their studies with other commitments and apply academic rigour to their practical experience.
Please note that if you are an international student and apply for a visa to attend campus in the UK, you will be required to undertake the course on campus on a full-time basis. You must attend academic skills seminars during intervening weeks to fulfil UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements. For more information, visit our page on visa compliance.
On this course you will be taught via:
- Seminars and discussion
- Practical sessions and workshops
- Simulation exercises
- Study visits*
Modules can be studied either 100% online or as 4.5-day face-to-face events that provide the depth and rigour required for development, reflection and networking in this sector. Delivery is supported by our innovative online social learning platform, allowing you to undertake substantial parts of your study at home whether you are studying on campus or online, where you can revisit classroom content and find additional materials. You also have access to our library's electronic resources 24/7, including thousands of books, ejournals and newspapers.
The course’s flexibility and delivery pattern of 4.5-day blocks enables full-time students to develop their knowledge alongside opportunities to gain practical experience. The part-time route allows those already in emergency management to balance their studies with other commitments and apply academic rigour to their practical experience.
Please note that if you are an international student and apply for a visa to attend campus in the UK, you will be required to undertake the course on campus on a full-time basis. You must attend academic skills seminars during intervening weeks to fulfil UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements. For more information, visit our page on visa compliance.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods
* May be subject to availability, limited places and additional travel costs.
* May be subject to availability, limited places and additional travel costs.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
Assessment for all modules is by 100% coursework.
This course is be assessed using a variety of sector-appropriate methods which vary depending upon the module. All written assignments are submitted online and presentations can be recorded. Assessment methods include reports, proposals and business cases, presentations, posters etc. There are no exams.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.
On successful completion, you will be able to:
- Evaluate risk, its components and influencing factors, approaches to assessment, prioritisation and role in planning, managing and recovering from crises and emergencies.
- Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of policy and approaches for mitigating, preparing for, managing and recovering from emergencies or crises for responding agencies and organisations and affected communities.
- Apply relevant approaches to assessing complexity and interaction and develop, monitor and evaluate resilience in processes, systems, organisations and communities at risk from known and emergent threats in a sustainable way.
- Undertake detailed analysis of multi-stakeholder engagement, communication, cooperation and governance in all aspects of policy and strategy development, implementation and management at all scales.
- Manage information, evaluate uncertainty, ambiguity and complexity in knowledge, method and management, and make appropriate and defensible decisions.
Each 15 credit module will consist of 150 hours of activities with typically about 30 hours of contact time associated. The activity time will be made up of a mixture of guided and self-guided study. Taught modules are normally delivered on campus in a block (typically 4.5 days delivery) or across a ten -week period when studying 100% online. The contact hours for this course will include a combination of, face-to face teaching such as lectures, small-group sessions, workshops, online classes and support sessions.
Students will have access to an experienced team of tutors and lecturers who will support their studies. Each module will have dedicated online content to support the learning.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities etc.
This course focuses on emergency management within a global context, drawing on case studies and the experience of agencies working in the UK, Europe, US, Canada and Australia.
International, EU and UK students (dependant in intake of students each year) take classes together, participating in discussion-based seminars and workshops, so all students have the opportunity to benefit from the personal experiences of other students, as well as staff, from other parts of the world.
Entry Requirements
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
You can study this course on a part-time basis. The cost is based on the credits studied per year. For further information please contact our Admissions team.
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation and activities, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire.
Funding
Postgraduate loans offered by Student Finance England are not available for PgCert courses. If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: September, January and May. More information on flexible payments can be found on this page.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
Throughout the course we explore how modern society is creating ever more complex risk and interdependency.
The impact of features such as societal inequalities, social tension, extremism, global supply and economic instability, reliance on technology, severe weather conditions, pandemic disease and climate change means that there are now many career opportunities in this field.
Upon successful completion of the course, you can expect to pursue or further a career in sectors including national and local government, business, public and uniformed services, healthcare, utilities, petrochemicals, environmental organisations or consultancy.
Our current teaching staff and the university’s Talent Team can support your search for employment in the UK or overseas by making use of our 25 years of alumni network industrial contacts, careers events, recruitment fairs and individual advice.
Where our graduates work
Previous graduates have gone to work in the UK and in countries all over the world, including Denmark, Finland, Germany, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, UAE, the United States and Canada. Opportunities exist within sectors including:
- Retail, manufacturing, automotive, nuclear, oil and gas, aviation
- Emergency services and civil contingencies
- Utility and Critical National Infrastructure organisations
- Health services
- City resilience
- Financial sector
- Risk and resilience consultancy
- Security and events industries
Disclaimer
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2022/23 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
